You are here

National Library farewell’s Cook’s Endeavour journal

National Library farewell’s Cook’s Endeavour journal

10 February 2006

Weekend visitors to the National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries exhibition can join the National Library of Australia as it says farewell to its most significant foundation treasure, the Journal of the Endeavour, the handwritten manuscript detailing James Cook’s voyage of discovery to Australia between 1768–1771.

The journal, together with 175 iconic objects drawn from the magnificent collections of Australia ’s national, state and territory libraries, will commence a new voyage of discovery when the exhibition closes at 5pm at the National Library on Sunday 12 February.

As soon as the exhibition closes, exhibition staff will commence the complex job of packing items securely in readiness for the journey to the first port of call at Melbourne ’s State Library of Victoria, where it opens on March 10.

The response to the exhibition in Canberra has been enormous and visitor numbers are expected to over-reach the target of 65,000.

The exhibition is the most successful exhibition ever undertaken by the National Library of Australia since the huge success of Treasures from the World’s Great Libraries in 2001 – 2002.

The exhibition has struck an emotional chord in the hearts of visitors.

Some comments from the visitors book are:

‘A brilliant overview of our chequered history.’

‘Gave me shivers to see evidence of national icons as real people.’

‘Should be compulsory viewing for all Australian students.’

National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries tours to every capital city until late 2007.